Trump was the first presidential candidate in decades to not disclose his tax returns. He cited an IRS audit as his reason, though the agency has said that taxpayers can release their own information at any time.

The release also includes the text messages exchanged between two former FBI officials, Peter Strzok and Lisa Page, who were critical of Trump's campaign.

Strzok, who was removed from the Russia investigation after an internal probe revealed the messages, was fired by the Justice Department in August.

Trump said Tuesday that he ordered the release of the documents at the request of congressional committees and thought it was a good idea "because we should open it up for people to see."

"When the President issues such an order, it triggers a declassification review process that is conducted by various agencies within the intelligence community, in conjunction with the White House Counsel, to seek to ensure the safety of America's national security interests,” the Department of Justice said in a statement Monday evening.

“The Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are already working with the Director of National Intelligence to comply with the President's order.”